NHRC member visits grieving family in Rajkot with aid

Madhu (17) was the eldest daughter of Bharat (45) and Asha (40). The politicians were visiting the disputed home of this Nepalese family built on the common plot of the Chhotunagar Cooperative Housing Society in Rajkot.

Bharat whose late father Mansingh was a security guard in this society,His mother Hasumati,wife Asha,his brothers Mahendra and Girish and Mahendra’s wife Rekha (30) had allegedly set themselves on fire in the RMC office on Wednesday apprehending eviction from the common plot of the society,by the civic body. While Girish,Bharat and Asha died in hospital,Hasumati and Rekha continued to battle for their lives on Thursday.

Raju Parmar,former Congress MP and member of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC),came with a cheque of Rs 1 lakh for the family. Madhu told him,“Now that such an incident has happened,you have come here. Why did not you help us when it would have mattered!” she rebuked even as Gauri (30),Girish’s wife (35),broke down.

MLA from Rajkot (east) Indranil Rajguru said,“We admit there has been delay in reaching out you and your family. But nobody approached us for help either.” After some persuasion from elders,Madhu and Gauri accepted the cheques.

The teenager,eldest among three siblings,has been working in a stock-broking office after completing her schooling last year.

Madhu’s younger sister Amruta took her Class X exam last month. Their brother Vijay studies in Class VI. Girish and Gauri’s two sons Jay and Aren are studying in Class VI and II respectively. Mahendra,the youngest of three brothers,also has two children.

“They cut our electricity connection forcing us to read under street lights. They also snapped our water supply,” said Madhu.

RMC officials said the water connection was registered in the name of the housing society and they had snapped it after request of the members.

Early last year,the family had approached Gandhigram police against alleged “harassment” by the society but were told to move court since it was a civil matter.

After RMC issued them an eviction notice,they sought a stay order on it but the court refused them any relief last moth.

Bharat was working with a private firm,Girish was employed as driver by a travel agency. Bharat’s wife Asha used to work as a domestic help.